Office Visit: Dispelling Myths About Diabetes

Office Visit: Dispelling Myths About Diabetes

By Todd Hoffman, M.D.

Managing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can be overwhelming. A diagnosis of diabetes requires you to regularly check your blood sugar, make informed dietary choices, stay physically active and maintain a healthy weight. It can also require proper management of insulin and other meds.

Additionally, misinformation about the disease can make diabetes education a struggle to provide. Dispelling myths and understanding the truth about diabetes can lead to healthier lifestyle choices and effective management. Let's examine some prevalent misconceptions about diabetes and correct them.

Myth 3: Diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar

One of the most common myths is diabetes is caused by consuming too much sugar. While a high-sugar diet can contribute to obesity and increase risk of Type 2 diabetes, it's not the only factor. Genetics, lack of physical activity and overall dietary patterns play significant roles in diabetes development.

Myth 4: Only overweight people get diabetes

People at a normal, healthy weight can have insulin resistance and get Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes often affects people who have a normal or below normal body weight. A person isn't healthy just because they're thin. It's also true a person isn't ill because they're overweight. While there are some known family history and lifestyle risks, it's hard to predict who will get diabetes.

Understanding the truth about diabetes is crucial for prevention and effective disease management. By promoting accurate information and dismantling myths we can empower individuals to control their health, reduce risk of complications and improve their quality of life.

Let's make it a good month.

Todd Hoffman, M.D., C.P.E., is chief medical officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, a division of Health Care Service Corp., a Mutual Legal Reserve Company.

Myth 1: Diabetes is not a serious disease

A common myth is diabetes is a mild condition that doesn't require serious attention. According the American Diabetes Association, unmanaged diabetes can lead to complications, including heart attack, kidney failure, nerve damage and vision loss. It is crucial for individuals with diabetes to seek appropriate medical care and make lifestyle changes.

Myth 2: Only adults are affected by diabetes

Many people believe diabetes only affects adults. While Type 2 diabetes traditionally has been associated with adults, children and adolescents are increasingly being diagnosed, largely because of rising obesity rates and sedentary lifestyles. Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition, typically appears in childhood or adolescence, but it can develop at any age.